David Miliband

Former Foreign Secretary, President & CEO of the IRC

David Miliband is President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), where he oversees the agency’s humanitarian relief operations in more than 40 war-affected countries and its refugee resettlement and assistance programmes in 28 United States cities.

"One of the ablest, most creative public servants of our time" – Bill Clinton

Topics

Global Trends
Reform of Global Institutions
US Foreign Policy
Society, Education and Sustainability
Future of Europe
Refugee Crisis
Brexit

Languages

He presents in English.

How he presents

David defends the international order built by leaders out of the ashes of World War II, but says now is the time for reform. Describing his family story and drawing lessons from his life in politics, David shows that if we fail refugees, then we betray our own history, values, and interests.

Publications

2017
Rescue: Refugees and the Political Crisis of our Time

Talk to us about David Miliband

In Detail

After election to parliament, David was appointed Schools Minister. There followed periods as Cabinet Office Minister and as Minister of State for Communities and Local Government. As Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs he drove commitments to reducing emission levels. When Gordon Brown was appointed Prime Minister, David became Foreign Secretary. His time at the Foreign Office was marked by an eventful period in relations with Europe, terrorism and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in Asia. He was particularly noted for his strong relationship with his opposite number in the US, Hilary Clinton, and for his work in international human rights.

What he offers you

Combining insights into both UK and global politics, David considers the shifts in economic power, the effects of conflict, and the problems of globalisation and isolationism.